Catholic (Mercy) · co-educational · Adelaide

Mercedes College Adelaide

ICSEA 1138 Y12 fee $13.3k Est. 1954

Catholic Mercy Sisters co-educational school in Springfield, Adelaide. Founded 1954.

In short

Is Mercedes College Adelaide a good private school?

Mercedes College Adelaide is a catholic (mercy) co-educational private school based in Springfield, Adelaide. ICSEA 1138 (Australian median is 1000). 2026 Year 12 tuition is $13,280. Catholic Mercy Sisters co-educational school in Springfield, Adelaide. Founded 1954.

Profile information cross-referenced against public sources at time of publication. Verify a provider's current credentials directly with the relevant Australian regulator before engaging.

Key takeaways

  • Mercedes College Adelaide is a Catholic (Mercy) school in Springfield, Adelaide (co-educational).
  • ICSEA score: 1138 (the Australian median is 1000; well above median).
  • 2026 Year 12 tuition: $13,280 (Year 7: $11,680).
  • Day school only.
  • Founded in 1954.

5-year fee projection

What you can expect to pay 2026–2031

Based on Mercedes College Adelaide's current Year 12 fee of $13,280, here's what fees could look like over the next 6 years under three indexation scenarios. Most Australian independent schools index fees between 3.5% and 6% annually.

Year Low (+3.5%) Mid (+4.5%) High (+5.5%)
2026 (current) $13,280 $13,280 $13,280
2027 $13,745 $13,878 $14,010
2028 $14,226 $14,502 $14,781
2029 $14,724 $15,155 $15,594
2030 $15,239 $15,837 $16,452
2031 $15,772 $16,549 $17,356
6-year total (mid) $89,201

Projection methodology: starting from Mercedes College Adelaide's published 2026 fee, compounded annually at 3 indexation rates representing low / mid / high typical scenarios for Australian independent schools. Actual fees depend on the school's own indexation policy + economic conditions; this is illustrative rather than guaranteed. Excludes uniforms, technology levies, camps, additional services + boarding (unless shown separately).

Planning tip: for a Year 7 entry in 2027, the 6-year tuition-only total is approximately $89,201 (mid scenario). Compare against scholarship pathways + public alternatives before committing.

NAPLAN context

Mercedes College Adelaide's NAPLAN benchmark

2025 national + state means for Year 9 — the benchmark to compare against Mercedes College Adelaide's individual school result on MySchool.

National Y9 Reading

567.7

2025 mean (all students)

SA state mean

556.4

South Australia Y9 Reading mean

National Y9 Numeracy

572.6

2025 mean (all students)

For Mercedes College Adelaide's actual NAPLAN figures, use MySchool. It publishes the school's per-domain mean, % in each proficiency band, Year 5 → Year 9 student gain, and "similar schools" comparison (the right metric for value-add).

View Mercedes College Adelaide on MySchool

New to NAPLAN reading? Read our parent's guide — what each year level + domain measures, the parental-education premium, and what to look for on MySchool.

Fee history

How Mercedes College Adelaide's fees have moved 2018 → 2026

The 9-year tuition trajectory for a Year 12 student. Compare against the national fee-inflation tracker to see how this school's pace stacks up against the wider sector.

Year 12 fee history

Mercedes College Adelaide

2018 → 2026 tuition fee progression (AUD, tuition only)

+42.1%

8-year change

$9,344

2018 fee

$13,280

2026 fee

4.5%

Per year (CAGR)

$9k $10k $11k $12k $13k 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026
2026 verified fee (school-published)
Indexed estimate (ABS Cat 6401.0 back-projection)

Pre-2026 figures are computed by applying the ABS secondary-education price index (Cat 6401.0) backwards year-by-year from the school's verified 2026 fee. Audit sample shows estimates within ±5% of actual fees for most schools. Per-school verified historical chains will be added as we complete audits of each school's annual reports.

Location + links

Find Mercedes College Adelaide

Springfield, Adelaide, Australia.

What Mercedes College Adelaide offers

Mercy/Catholic
Co-educational
Day
IB Diploma

Common questions

Mercedes College Adelaide FAQs

What are Mercedes College Adelaide's 2026 fees?

Mercedes College Adelaide's 2026 fee schedule lists Year 12 tuition at $13,280, with Year 7 at $11,680. Fees typically index 3.5–6% annually — model 6-year totals using our calculator before committing. Additional levies (technology, camps, uniform, capital) usually add 8–15% on top of the headline tuition.

What is Mercedes College Adelaide's ICSEA score?

Mercedes College Adelaide has an ICSEA score of 1138. The Australian median is 1000; ICSEA measures the socio-educational advantage of the parent community (not academic value-add). Schools at 1150+ are top decile nationally. ICSEA is published by ACARA on MySchool and updated each calendar year.

Does Mercedes College Adelaide offer boarding?

Mercedes College Adelaide is a day school. For boarding alternatives in Adelaide, see our city ranking.

Where is Mercedes College Adelaide based?

Mercedes College Adelaide is primarily based in Adelaide, Australia, and serves clients across Adelaide and surrounding areas. Check with the provider directly for specific service-area coverage.

What are the alternatives to Mercedes College Adelaide?

Our independent ranking of the top private schools in Australia includes Melbourne Grammar School, Scotch College, Wesley College. Each has different strengths — see our comparison for a side-by-side breakdown.

How much do private schools cost in Australia in 2026?

Elite independent schools (Geelong Grammar, Sydney Grammar, Scotch College, Methodist Ladies' College): $42,000-$55,000/year for Year 12. Mid-tier independents: $25,000-$38,000/year. Catholic systemic schools: $4,000-$10,000/year. Boarding adds $25,000-$45,000 on top. Year 7-9 fees typically 30-40% lower than Year 12. Total K-12 cost: $400,000-$650,000 for elite schools, $40,000-$120,000 for Catholic systemic. Add $5,000-$15,000/year for uniforms, IT, camps, music tuition.

When should I apply for a private school?

Elite schools (Scotch, Geelong Grammar, Sydney Grammar): apply at birth or before age 2 for Year 7 entry. Waiting lists at top schools are 1,000+ children. Mid-tier independents: apply 2-4 years before entry year. Catholic systemic: 12-24 months before entry year. Most competitive entry points: Reception (limited places open most spots), Year 7 (start of secondary, biggest intake), Year 11 (VCE/HSC start). Apply to 4-8 schools simultaneously to maximise options.

What's ICSEA and how does it relate to school quality?

ICSEA (Index of Community Socio-Educational Advantage) measures the socio-economic background of a school's community. Average is 1000. Elite private schools typically score 1180-1230. ICSEA correlates strongly with academic outcomes, but it measures family advantage, not school teaching quality. To assess teaching quality, look at "value-added" data (how much the school improves students above their starting point), Education Department websites publish this. A school with ICSEA 1200 should produce strong results; a school with ICSEA 1100 producing strong results is doing more impressive teaching.

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